Adjustable platen for addressing machines



ADJUSTABLE PLATENS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March14, 1929 framrzfira.

March 7, 1931- 4 P. A] GOLLNICK ETAL 1,796,327

ADJUSTABLE PLATENS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES Filed March 14, 1929- 3Sheets--Shee'c 2 mllHlIlll March 17, 1931. P. A. GOLLNICK ET AL 1,796,

' ADJUSTABLE PLATE'NS FOR ADDRESSING MACHINES- Filed March 14. 1929 3Shets-She'et 3 51 A?! is l n l J9 WW IHI: JV

la r a 9mm? X% Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAULA. GOLLNICK, FRANK W. BRODERICK, AND LEO JOSEPH SLUPKOWSKI, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS, BY IVIIEISNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO SELECTOGRAPHCOM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS ADJUSTABLEPLATEN FOB ADDRESSING MACHINES Application filed March 14, 1929. SerialNo. 347,004.

This invention relates to printing mechanisms and more particularly toaddressing machines employing a platen, known as an anvil, forsupporting theenvelopes or other action which did not permit anyvariation in the length of their strokes, that is, they moved apredetermined distance, irrespective of the thickness of the workoperated upon,- with the result that the impressions varied with thethickness of the sheets.

In addressing machines, particularly those wherein the envelopes are fedmanually, it is preferable to place a stack of envelopes on the platenand then remove the top envelope after each impression, instead offeeding them one by one to the printing position. Inasmuch with theremoval of the top envelope after each impression, it is desirable tohave a platen which will always exert a uniform pressure irrespective ofthe thickness of the work operated upon.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form ofplaten; to provide improved means for positively supporting the platenso as to secure it against any yielding action during the printingoperation; to'provide improved mechanism for ac tuating said supportingmeans to move said platen toward the impression means; and to provideimproved means for yieldingly connecting said actuating mechanism withsaid supporting means so as to permit automatic variation of the platensstroke to compensate for work of different thicknesses.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of an addressing machine towhich an improved platen is applied, the view being taken on the line1'1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig.2'.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the platen in its raisedposition.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1, with theplaten removed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the platen.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the friction plate which connects the platensupporting means with the actuating mechanism.

Platens embodying this invention may be applied to power driven and handoperated addressing machines. The common form of addressing machine towhich this invention may be applied includes a horizontal guide- Wayalong which the stencils are moved to a printing position between animpression element and a platen. The impression element is generallylocated above the guideway and the platen is usually located below theguideway for lifting the envelopes or other sheets i into contact withthe stencil. as the stack of envelopes diminishes in size Inasmuch asthis invention relates particularly to the platen and its operatingmechanism, only part of an addressing machine believed necessary to acomplete understanding of the invention has been illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. 7

In the construction shown, the addressing machine includes a horizontaltable 1 which is adapted to support a stack of envelopes 2 beneath ahorizontal guideway 3 which is adapted to support stencils 4 which aremovable step-by-step to a printing position between a verticallyreciprocable impression element 5 and the improved platen mechanism 6.

In the embodiment illustrated, the improved platen mechanism 6 includesa vertically reciprocable platen or anvil 7 supported on a horizontallyreciprocable wedge 8, which is slidable in a frame 9 under the action ofimproved actuating mechanism 10.

i The platen 7 is movable upwardly through an opening 11 in the table 1for engagement with the envelopes. In the form illustrated,

the platen 7 comprises a hollow casting having a substantially flatbearing surface 12 adapted to support the envlopes or other sheetmaterial. The top of the platen is recessed, as shown at 13, so as toclear the inner rail of the guideway 3.

The platen 7 is guided in its vertical movement by an arm 14 having oneend thereof pivotally secured to a lug 15 on the underside of thetable 1. The opposite end of the arm 14 is pivotally secured to lugs 16formed on the platen, so as to permit vertical movement of the platenwhile securing the platen against appreciable endwise movement duringthe operation of the wedge 8.

Formed at the bottom of the platen 7, is a pair of inclined outwardlyprojecting rails 17 which slidably engage the wedge 8, whereby ahorizontal reciprocation of the wedge 8 effects a vertical movement, ofthe platen.

In the embodiment shown, the wedge 8 comprises a single casting which isformed to provide a pair of side walls 18 and 19 connected together by abase part 20. Formed in the upper edges of the walls 18 and 19, areinclined guideways 21 which slidably support the rails 17 of the platen.The guideways 21 serve as cams for effecting the desired lifting of theplaten.

Formed 011 the lower side of the base part 20, is a guideway 22 forslidably supporting apart of the actuating mechanism, as hereinafterdescribed.

Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base part 20, is a pairof rails 23, which slidably engage the frame 9.

The frame 9 include-s a pair of brackets 24 and 25, which are suspendedfrom the table 1 by bolts 26 or other suitable fastening means. Formedon the lower edges of the brackets 24 and 25 are horizontal guideways 27for slidably supporting the rails 23 of the wedge 8.

A portion of the bracket 24 is hollow so as to form a housing 28 for apair of adjustable stops arranged to engage a lug 29 formed on the wedgewall 19 for limiting the movement of the wedge 8.

Each of the adju-stable'stops includes a resilient pad 30 seated in asocket 31 mounted on the inner end of a screw 32 which is threaded inthe housing 28.

Formed on the bracket 25, is an extension which provides abearing forpart of the actuating mechanism.

In the construction shown, the actuating mechanism 10 includes afriction plate 34, which is supported in the guideway 22 for frictionalengagement with the wedge 8. Formed in the plate 34, is a longitudinallyextending slot 35 which receives a stud 36 threaded in a boss 37 formedon the base part 20 of the wedge. I

The plate 34 is clamped between the base part 20 and a bearing plate 38supported on the stud 36. Embracing the stud 36, is a spring 39 foreffecting the desired pressure upon the plate 34. The tension of thespring 39 may be varied by means of a nut 40 on the lower end of thestud.

Supported on the rear end of the friction plate 34, is a pivot pin 41which is connected to one end of a link 42. The other end of the link 42is connected to a crank 43 fixed on a shaft 44, which is journaled inthe bearing part 33 of the bracket 25 and in a hanger 45 suspended fromthe table 1.

Fixed on the shaft 44, is a pinion 46 mesh ing with a pinion 47 of ashaft 48 which is geared to a drive shaft 49.

In operation, the friction plate 34 is reciprocated with aconstantstroke through the action of the link 42, crank 43 and shafts 44, 48 and49.

Under the action, of the friction plate 34, the wedge 8 is reciprocatedto effect the desired lifting of the platen 7. Upon each return strokeof the wedge 8, the platen drops by gravity.

lVhen the platen has been raised a sufficient distance to. bring the topenvelope into firm contact with the stencil, the wedge 8 stops and anycontinued movement of the actuating mechanism 10 merely causes thefriction plate 34 to slide relative to the base part 20 and the bearingplate 3.8.

With this improved construction and arrangement of parts, a variablemovement is imparted to the platen to accommodate envelopes of differentthicknesses so that the impressions are always uniform, irrespective ofthe number of envelopes or sheets supported between the platen and thestencil. The platen is positively supported at every position in itsstroke so as to be secured against any yielding action during theprinting.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been hereinshown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

lVe claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising saidplaten, actuating mechanism for said means, and a friction connectionbetween said means and mechanism, said friction connection being adaptedto yield when the resistance encountered by said platen exceeds apredetermined amount.

2. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising saidplaten, and actuating mechanism frictionally engaging said supportingmeans for shifting said platen.

3. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any poment andbeing arranged to drive said supporting means, said mechanismfrictionally engaging said means to permit a variable movement of saidplaten.

5. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising saidplaten, actuating mechanism having a constant movement and beingfrictionally connected to said supporting means, and an adjustingelement arranged to vary the friction between said mechanism and saidmeans.

6. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being reciprocable horizontally for shifting saidplaten, and mechanism for actuating said means, said mechanismfrictionally engaging said means to permit a variable stroke of saidplaten.

7. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being movable horizontally for shifting saidplaten, actuating mechanism frictionally connected to said supportingmeans for shifting said platen, and means for limiting the movement ofsaid supporting means.

8. A device of the class described comprising a vertically movableplaten, means for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said means being movable horizontally for raising saidplaten, actuating mechanism frictionally connected to said supportingmeans for shifting said platen, and a pair of adjustable stops forlimiting the movement of said supporting means.

9. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocableplaten, a Wedge for positively supporting said platen in any position ofits stroke, said Wedge being reciprocable horizontally for shifting saidplaten,

actuating mechanism including a horizontally movable plate frictionallyengaging said wedge, and a spring urging said plate into frictionalcontact with said Wedge.

10. A device of the class described comprising a vertically reciprocableplaten, a

' Wedge for positively supporting said platen in any position of itsstroke, said wedge being reciprocable horizontally for shifting saidplaten, actuating mechanism including a slotted plate contacting withsaid Wedge, a stud mounted on said Wedge and extending through saidplate, a spring embracing said stud for urging said plate intofrictional engagement with said Wedge, and a nut on said stud forvarying the tension of said spring.

Signed at Chicago this 9th day of March,

PAUL A. GOLLNIGK. FRANK W. BRODERICK. LEO JOSEPH SLUPKOWSKI.

